The annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) has recorded 155 birds belonging to 13 species in the wetlands of Umiam lake.
According to the Meghalaya Forest & Environment Department the census was conducted on February 2 through the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Khasi Hills Wildlife Division Shillong in Collaboration with the Meghalaya Biodiversity Board.
The census was also simultaneously carried out at Umsaw, Umbir, Umniuh, Mawlyndep in Ri Bhoi district.
The AWC is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). It is a citizen-science programme supporting the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide done annually between the months of January and February.
An official statement today said the census was carried out to also commemorate World Wetland Day to protect and preserve the pristine wetlands, which acts as a habitat for avian life every year during their migration period.
“Through the exercise it has been observed that the Umiam wetland acts as an important habitat for avian life,” the statement said.
DFO Social Forestry Division H. Lato, Assistant Conservator of Forests M Kharsyntiew, Aaranyak NGO members Dipankar Lahkar and Pranjal Deka, experts from Meghalaya Biodiversity Board E. Khongwir and S. Dey participated in the programme.
